Q&A with Guru Singh

From each failure and moment of sadness, it is up to you to assemble a new moment; a moment filled with appreciation, clarity, transparency and simplicity. This is not something that can take place by thought alone; this is something that can only be ‘entrained’ through consistent discipline.
Happiness is not desired or acquired; happiness is allowed to arise from what is. Happiness is never stiff; it is as flexible as water. If at first water does not succeed, it will try and try again and again until it does. Such is also the resilient nature of happiness.

If you want to change the quality of your thoughts, when you have a negative thought, change your attitude towards it. Embrace it. Say to yourself: “this is the best negative thought I’ve had” and let it go. Don’t focus on not having negative thoughts. Instead, focus on the kind of thoughts and attitudes you want to have.

The thinking machine is a radio that is tuned in to a station and in school, we are not taught how to tune the radio of our mind. It cannot be tuned directly, only indirectly. As you pursue a daily spiritual practice with discipline and commitment, you realize that the radio is picking up a different station--a brighter one. When that happens, enjoy the new programming, but don’t make a big deal out of it.

I learned this lesson when I was in my mid-twenties. I had been practicing a meditation that puts crystal clarity in your hands. I was managing a bed factory at the time, and there was a kitten at the factory that was very sick. After finishing this meditation, I thought I would try healing the cat.

I reached over and held the cat for about half an hour. My hands were trembling with prana. The cat stood up, looked at me and vomited out a horrendous black ball. It then walked away, happy, ready to explore. I was so excited to share my newfound powers.

I called my teacher, Yogi Bhajan, and said: “Sir, wait till you hear what I was able to . . . !” Before finishing that sentence I looked over at the cat, and the cat rolled over . . . dead.

Yogi Bhajan abruptly asked: “So, what’s happening . . . ?”

I replied: “Sir… ?”

“Tell me, Oh Mighty One. What’s happening now?”

The tone of his voice told me he knew exactly what had happened.

No matter how much progress you make, don't take the credit and don’t take it personally. Remain very humble. You will require this humbleness as your excellence grows to enlightenment.